UMaine Dressage Club Growing

Contact: Gina Edwards at <a class=”darkblueones” href=”mailto:gina.edwards@umit.maine.edu “>gina.edwards@umit.maine.edu

ORONO — Bolstered by seven new first-year students who joined up this fall, the University of Maine Dressage Club is the largest it has even been, with 12 students involved. For the first time, UMaine will field two teams for International Dressage Association (IDA) competitions. Tryouts for the spring season began earlier this week at Puckerbrush Farm in Newburgh.

Earlier this fall the dressage club hosted the season’s first IDA show with the help of coaches Bryn Walsh and Becky Reed, who own Puckerbrush Farm. Participants in the show, at Puckerbrush Farm, included Johnson and Wales, the University of New Hampshire and Bridgewater State. One of the highlights was Kristein Brown, a sophomore from Brewer, earning high point honors at a show at Johnson and Wales. That recognition goes to the rider with the day’s highest score.

In order to make these shows and other club activities possible, members have been working hard to raise funds to suppor the club.

For example, team members recently spent a day at Puckerbrush Farm cleaning bridles, saddles and other pieces of tack — for a fee — for horse owners who board their animals at the farm. Because the response was so favorable, it may become a monthly event.